"As this research shows, an effective route to happiness is not necessarily through experiencing major events that we might have planned out such as getting married, moving house, getting that all-important promotion, or even being on a holiday.

"Rather it is the small, and often unexpected, pleasures in life that can make us smile each and every day to help us build happier and more meaningful lives for ourselves and for others.”

The research marks the UK launch of DoubleTree by Hilton’s global Cookie Care campaign, with thousands of pairs of chocolate chip cookies being given away across the country to unsuspecting passers-by – one to share and one to keep.